From academia to industry: EPS postdoc mentor programme

Progress, innovation and sustainability are essential for breeding. This requires in-depth research and specialist knowledge. Postdocs play an important role in this – they have in-depth professional knowledge and a fresh perspective on innovation.

For many postdocs, however, the business world is relatively unknown. To support them in the transition, Plantum and the EPS Postdocs Council of the Graduate School of Experimental Plant Sciences (EPS) have set up a mentoring program. In this program, postdocs are paired with professionals from companies to give them more insight into what it is like to work in the sector.

During the kick-off meeting, mentors and mentees met each other for the first time. It was an afternoon full of exchange between two worlds that turned out not to be that different. At the end of the day, there was an opportunity to get to know the rest of the group and exchange experiences during drinks.

It is great to see how many bridges are built when there is room for real conversations. Hopefully, this is a first step for many postdocs towards a future in our beautiful sector.

Are you an EPS postdoc and would you like to join the programme?